Policy Tracker - Keeping track of what happened in the world of education in October 2014

October 30, 2014

Things have been pretty busy on all fronts this month as the long list of news items below indicates.

For schools, the stand-outs include the Workload Challenge, Ofsted’s consultation on future inspection arrangements and some of the exam data now coming out. For FE, AoC’s submission to the Treasury and Glenys Stacey’s FAB speech provide useful starting points while for HE, the three Reports listed continue to mark out the agenda there.

Key headlines from the month

Early years. IFS question the value of the current entitlement

Primary Futures. Programme of visits by business volunteers initiated

Pupil motivation. EEF commissioned research shows it ain’t all about the money

Speeches of the month

Glenys Stacey’s 2 October Key Conference speech explains how the qualification regulator is managing the current qualification reform programme

Vince Cable’s 6 0ctober Conference speech announces plans for a single national minimum wage for 16-17 year olds

Nick Clegg’s 8 October Conference speech includes a promise to protect funding up to age 18 as one of 5 pledges intended to position the Party between the other two

Matthew Hancock’s 13 October Industrial Strategy speech sets out the role of the Strategy for manufacturing and other sectors

Genys Stacey’s 14 October FAB Conference speech sets out the thinking behind changes to accreditation requirements for VQs and other quals

Sam Gyimah’s 21 October Policy Exchange speech makes a strong case for further development of school-led nurseries

Nick Clegg’s 22 October Public Sector speech pledges to cut back on the paperwork and other bureaucracy making the life and work of public servants like teachers so burdensome

Quotes of the month

“There’s lots of things I lie awake at night worrying about. This is not one of them. We really shouldn’t get exercised about it.” Vince Cable on tuition fee repayments

“Teaching isn’t a job for the faint – hearted.” Nick Clegg gets to grips with the reality of teaching

“A Labour government would retain the primary curriculum and, in the main, continue with the GCSE changes.” The Shadow Ed Minister on Labour’s approach to qual reform, in the main

"You can spot a good school in half an hour.” The Chief Inspector on the inspection reforms

“Social mobility in Britain is low and stalling and nowhere is this more apparent than in education.” The Social Mobility Commission on the importance of education

We know that something funny happens when teenagers start to be slightly out of sync with the rest of the world.” The Education Endowment Fund investigates the nature of sleeping patterns on young people’s learning outcomes

Word or phrase of the month

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